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Devo Manc is a Flawed Democracy. Discuss

Debate the democratic participation of the people of Greater Manchester

17 February 2016

Time 18:30 - 20:00

Duration 1 hours 30 minutes

Cost £7

In partnership with Guardian Live, Discuss starts the year on one of its favourite themes: debating the democratic participation of the people of Greater Manchester in Devo Manc.

While the debate about decentralising powers from Westminster is a longstanding one and there is genuine enthusiasm about devolution, the development of the deal has attracted criticism. The agreement, it is argued, was negotiated behind closed doors without creating any space for participation and was imposed on the people of Greater Manchester.

On the other hand, an elected government with a manifesto pledge to introduce elected Mayors for Cities did a deal with the ten Greater Manchester authorities each of whom was democratically elected and entered the deal acting in the best interests of the residents and businesses.

Sir Richard Leese argues because the Combined Authority is an evolution of our existing arrangements a referendum is not needed. The Mayor of Salford Ian Stewart, another signatory to the deal, disagrees saying it is people’s ‘democratic right’ to have their say on how Greater Manchester will be governed with Salford Council voting in favour of a motion calling for residents to have their say.

So who is right and who is wrong?

Suitable for adults and young people

Treat yourself to 15% off in The Left Bank cafe bar and 10% off in the museum shop when you attend an event at the People’s History Museum